Workers started organizing right after New Year's Day and began surveying the site last week, despite temperatures that dipped into the single digits. They also did some grading work and installed construction trailers, Chando said. Today, construction crews opened up the road to install concrete pipes that will house the underground utilities.

Students in ninth through 12th grades, 1,846 in all, will attend the school.

In other news, the board also unanimously voted to request proposals for its professional services. Those include a health insurance broker, auditor, attorney and architect. Board President Kevin DeGerolamo said he heard from board members at their retreat in June that they wanted to seek proposals.

DeGerolamo said he personally was against it at the time. But the majority of the board seemed to be in favor of examining all the options for services to make sure the district gets the most for its money, and DeGerolamo said he respects the board's input.

Business Administrator William Bauer said now is the time for the board to solicit proposals so members can make decisions about who to appoint in May or June. He noted that the board went out for proposals just two years ago and approved them in September 2011, Bauer said.

"Unless someone has significant problems, you might want to consider waiting before you go out again," he said.